The National Teaching Council has rolled out a fast-track Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme with four universities to upgrade all non-professional teachers to professional status at a subsidised fee.
NTC Partners Four Universities to Support Teacher Upgrading
The National Teaching Council has announced a nationwide fast-track Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme designed to help non-professional teachers obtain the professional qualification required under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020. The initiative follows a directive by the Ghana Education Service asking all non-professional teachers in public and private schools to upgrade to professional status.
The Council is working with the University of Cape Coast, the University of Education Winneba, AAMUSTED and the University for Development Studies to deliver the programme. Each institution will host an intensive PGDE curriculum during the next school vacation period.
Subsidised Fees and Target Beneficiaries
A fixed subsidised fee of GHS 5000 has been approved for the entire programme. This is expected to ease the financial burden on non-professional teachers, many of whom have been teaching without the full professional licence required by law.
Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) has agreed to provide additional financial support for applicants below the age of thirty-five. The support package covers part of the cost of tuition and instructional materials.
Regulatory Framework and Purpose of the Initiative
Under section 67(1) of Act 1023, individuals are not permitted to teach unless they are registered and licensed by the National Teaching Council. The fast-track initiative is intended to ensure that all teachers, including those who have been working without professional training, meet the standards for licensure.
The NTC clarified that the earlier licences issued to professional teachers expired in December 2023, and the Council has since moved to subject-based licensing for all teachers. The new programme is therefore part of a broader reform to strengthen professionalism and improve classroom practice nationwide.
Programme Duration and Registration Timeline
The upcoming session is expected to run for sixteen to twenty weeks, depending on the participating university. The structure combines coursework, practicum activities and assessment tasks aligned with the NTC teacher standards.
Registration has opened through an online portal provided in the official communication from the Council, with the deadline set for 30 November 2025. Further details on course schedules, venues and academic requirements will be announced by each university in the coming weeks.
GES and NTC Encourage Full Participation
Regional and district directors have been asked to support eligible teachers to complete the requirements on time. According to NTC, the goal is to ensure that all non-professional teachers obtain the necessary qualification for professional licensing in the 2025 cycle.
The Council maintains that the initiative is part of its long-term plan to strengthen teacher quality and improve learning outcomes across basic and secondary schools.
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